Exploring the dense jungles of Papua New Guinea, researchers have stumbled upon two bird species previously unknown to science. These newly discovered birds not only have strikingly beautiful plumage, but also possess a deadly secret – their feathers contain venom potent enough to kill. As scientists race to uncover the secrets behind these venomous birds, their discovery raises questions about what other surprises may be lurking in the unexplored corners of the world.
In an incredible discovery, researchers from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and University of Copenhagen have found two species of poisonous birds in Papua New Guinea’s jungles. The birds in question are the regent whistler and the rufous-naped bellbird, both of which eat poisonous food that they convert into venom secreted in their feathers. The toxin, Batrachotoxin, is one of the most powerful neurotoxins known to man and is 250 times more toxic than strychnine. Locals avoid eating them as they have a burning taste in the mouth, like chilli. Although the toxins are not concentrated enough in these birds to kill people, the toxins can give humans a runny nose and teary eyes if the birds are handled. To take samples in a closed environment can create an effect like cutting onions with a nerve agent. The New Guinean birds are less toxic than dart frogs, but the adaptive significance for the birds remains uncertain. Venomous animals either produce their own poison or ingest it and utilise it themselves. The research has identified mutations that can reduce the binding affinity of Batrathotoxin in poisonous birds in similar places as in poison dart frogs, yet the source of the toxin has yet to be determined. It is in line with the concept of the evolutionary arms race and could mean developing new adaptations that provide advantages over their competitors.
